Building permits in Arlington County — the smallest county by area in the U.S., directly adjacent to Washington, D.C. — are issued by the Inspection Services Division within Community Planning, Housing & Development (CPHD). Applications use the Permit Arlington system. Arlington enforces the 2021 VUSBC.
This guide covers permit requirements, Permit Arlington, fees, trade permits, and inspections.
Arlington County has no incorporated towns. The county government handles all permitting directly for every property within its borders. Arlington is the smallest self-governing county in the United States by land area. Note: Permit Arlington notifications come only from permitarlington@accela.com — do not click suspicious links.
What requires a building permit in Arlington County?
Under the 2021 VUSBC, permits are required for construction, demolition, trades, public right-of-way, special events, pools, land disturbing activity, and more:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and alterations
- Structural modifications and wall changes
- Reroofing, windows, siding changes
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work
- Decks, pools, fences, and accessory structures
- Change of occupancy
- Demolition
- Land disturbing activity and special events
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, and cosmetic work
- Detached accessory structure ≤ 256 sq ft
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft
- Same-type fixture replacements
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Note that exemption from a building permit does not exempt a project from zoning requirements — confirm edge cases with the building department.
Who handles permitting in Arlington County?
The Inspection Services Division within CPHD handles building permits. The Permit Arlington portal (Accela-based) manages applications, document uploads, fee payments, and inspection scheduling.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Inspection Services Division — CPHD, Arlington, VA |
| Phone | (703) 228-3800 |
| Online portal | Permit Arlington — arlingtonva.us/Permits |
| Email notifications | Only from permitarlington@accela.com |
| Code cycle | 2021 VUSBC — effective January 18, 2025 |
| Covers | All of Arlington County (no incorporated towns) |
Apply through Permit Arlington. The Accela-based Permit Arlington system handles all permit types — building, trades, right-of-way, land disturbing, and more. All notifications come from permitarlington@accela.com. Visit arlingtonva.us/Permits for application guides and requirements.
Arlington County building permit cost
Arlington County permit fees are valuation-based. A mandatory 2% state levy applies to all fees.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based |
| Plan review fee | Included in permit structure |
| Trade permits | Separate fees per trade |
| State levy | 2% on all permit fees |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + enforcement |
Want a precise number for a specific Arlington County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Arlington County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits filed separately through Permit Arlington.
Electrical permits
Required for service upgrades, panel work, solar PV, and wiring — DPOR-licensed electrical contractor required.
Plumbing permits
Required for plumbing, repipes, water heaters, and gas work — DPOR-licensed plumber required.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, and ductwork — DPOR-licensed mechanical contractor required.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Public right-of-way permits, land disturbing activity permits, and special event permits also require Permit Arlington applications. Use permits are needed for land/building uses outside zoning district rights.
Verify your contractor's license. Virginia requires a state contractor license issued by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) for any project valued over $1,000. Licenses are classed by project value: Class A ($120,000+ per project), Class B ($10,000–$120,000), and Class C ($1,000–$10,000). Each class requires specific experience, education, and financial qualifications. Homeowners may perform work on their own primary residence without a contractor license, but all permits and inspections still apply. Verify licensure at dpor.virginia.gov.
How to get a building permit in Arlington County
Confirm zoning compliance
Check zoning requirements. Arlington's high-density development may trigger additional review processes.
Register on Permit Arlington & apply
Create a Permit Arlington account. Submit the building permit application with all required documents.
Submit plans for review
Upload construction documents. Residential plan review follows the online process outlined on arlingtonva.us.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2021 VUSBC. Address comments and resubmit.
Pay fees & receive permit
Pay all fees including 2% state levy through Permit Arlington.
Schedule inspections through CO
Schedule inspections through Permit Arlington. Final inspection required for CO.
Inspections in Arlington County
Schedule inspections through Permit Arlington. Standard checkpoints include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Arlington County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Arlington County Permits
- 💻 Permit Arlington portal
- 📋 Residential plan review process
- 🪪 VA DPOR — verify licenses
- 📘 VA DHCD — building codes
Simplify Arlington County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Arlington County's dense development environment, Permit Arlington system, and proximity to D.C. reward well-prepared applications. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Arlington County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Inspection Services Division process, so your Arlington County submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Arlington County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Arlington County Inspection Services, Permit Arlington, and 2021 VUSBC requirements.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need an Arlington County building permit?
Get your Arlington County project permitted right. Alliance Permitting navigates Permit Arlington — so you build, not wait.
More Virginia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Arlington County Inspection Services Division before filing. This is not legal advice.